In a significant development that has reignited discussions about one of Assam's darkest chapters, AIUDF legislator Rafiqul Islam has made serious allegations against major political parties while demanding justice for victims of the 1983 violence.
Political Parties Accused of Silence
Speaking to journalists outside the state assembly on Wednesday, MLA Rafiqul Islam asserted that neither the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, the opposition Congress, nor the Asom Gana Parishad show any willingness to address the killings that occurred during the anti-foreigner movement in Assam four decades ago.
"Thousands of innocent people were killed in the violence of 1983 in the state," Islam revealed to reporters, emphasizing the scale of the tragedy that has remained largely unaddressed in political discourse.
Tewary Commission Report Controversy
The AIUDF leader shed light on the long-concealed Tewary Commission report, disclosing that while the document was formally presented in the legislative house by then Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, its contents were never made accessible to the public.
According to Islam's statements, the current administration led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has finally released the report after an astonishing delay of forty years. This disclosure marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing pursuit of transparency regarding the historical event.
Demand for CBI Investigation
The MLA has categorically demanded that the state government initiate a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the incident, basing the investigation on the findings documented in the Tewary Commission report.
"Otherwise, simply making the report public will not serve any purpose," Islam cautioned, underscoring that mere disclosure without subsequent action would be insufficient in delivering justice to the victims and their families.
He further alleged that no previous administration, regardless of political affiliation, had taken substantive measures to address the matter, suggesting a pattern of institutional neglect spanning multiple governments over the decades.
The demand for a thorough investigation comes at a time when Assam continues to grapple with the historical legacy of the anti-foreigner movement, with victims' families awaiting closure and accountability for events that shaped the state's contemporary political landscape.
